2024 Free Agency and Free Agents Signings

[BigKen]

Patriots OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. could reunite with his former coaches in free agency

Wheatley was acquired via trade Pierre Strong Jr. last August.

www.patspulpit.com

 

[BigKen]

What placing the transition tag on Kyle Dugger means for the Patriots

Dugger will return in 2024.

www.patspulpit.com

 

[Southieinnc]

In all honesty that sounds kind of shitty. The "Transition Tag" we can keep you off the market and pay you less. It screams we know we want you, but we don't want to pay current value

Disagree. It is very close to his current value.
He does not have to sign it

 

[Southieinnc]

The transition tag allows Duggar to negotiate and sign with another club. Patriots keep first right to refusal. A transition tag allows a player to find out what his actual value is……

 

[cheerupcharlie]

The average contract for the top 10 safeties is 13.815 million. They offered him 13 million per season. Pretty damn fair to me. Especially for someone who is not a top 10 player at his position. I think Peppers is a better safety anyway.

 

[BigKen]

I'll happily take him.

Patriots 'Expected to Pursue' 8-Time Pro Bowler to Help Lure QB

The Patriots are "expected" to try to sign free-agent left tackle Tyron Smith as the team attempts to build an offensive line.

heavy.com

 

[BigKen]

Fun Wednesday morning reading:

Predictions for 11 Patriots free agents on offense

Here are predictions for all 11 of the Patriots' offensive free agents set to hit the market next week.

www.masslive.com

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I'll happily take him.

Patriots 'Expected to Pursue' 8-Time Pro Bowler to Help Lure QB

The Patriots are "expected" to try to sign free-agent left tackle Tyron Smith as the team attempts to build an offensive line.

heavy.com

DO IT !!!

 

[BigKen]

No one is sitting on their hands right now. GMs, coaches, scouts etc are all talking to agents nd player reps. No one is talking to players because that's a direct violation of NFLPA and NFL rules and until March 13th, it a serious tampering violation that can coat multiple draft picks, money and suspensions.

Because the "Legal Tampering Date" Monday March 11th, no one is supposed to be discussing anything with or about free agents because they are still the property of their team last year, actually this year until March 13th. If you believe this, you're living in a world of unicorns, dragons and magic.

No one is going to leak anything about who they are talking with or what agent for what player that they are negotiating with. But there have been some leaks from Elliott Wolfe that indicate that he's been told that certain player are interested in playing for New England regardless of what the Patriots are offering. At least one player agent has to him that his player will only sign with a Super Bowl contender. He's sick of playing for losers. I guess that he wants to play for the Chiefs or 49ers to start and work back from there.

So where exactly are the Patriots if players are generally feeling this way? If the top 15% of players feel this way, this could a really tough free agent hunt. The Patriots are obligated to spend 90% of their cap every year for the next three years under strict NFL rules. That means that Kraft will have to spend roughly $700M. With $100M in cap space this year, the Patriots might have to overpay just to meet their obligations.

Would it be unreasonable to offer Onwenu and Jonah Williams each a four year $96M contract? ($24M each)
Would it be unreasonable to offer Gabe Davis 4/$68M? ($16M)
Would it be unreasonable to offer Saquon Barkley 4/$32M? ($8M)
Would it be unreasonable to offer Hunter Henry 3/$36M? ($12M)
Would it be unreasonable to offer K.J. Osborn 4/$60M) ($15M)

Signing these 6 players would cost $99M. Does it make sense? Would have to cut a few more players in order to have enough cash to sign a Jacoby Brissett or Joe Flacco for the next two or so years to mentor the new QB.

 

[YankeeRebel]

No one is sitting on their hands right now. GMs, coaches, scouts etc are all talking to agents nd player reps. No one is talking to players because that's a direct violation of NFLPA and NFL rules and until March 13th, it a serious tampering violation that can coat multiple draft picks, money and suspensions.

Because the "Legal Tampering Date" Monday March 11th, no one is supposed to be discussing anything with or about free agents because they are still the property of their team last year, actually this year until March 13th. If you believe this, you're living in a world of unicorns, dragons and magic.

No one is going to leak anything about who they are talking with or what agent for what player that they are negotiating with. But there have been some leaks from Elliott Wolfe that indicate that he's been told that certain player are interested in playing for New England regardless of what the Patriots are offering. At least one player agent has to him that his player will only sign with a Super Bowl contender. He's sick of playing for losers. I guess that he wants to play for the Chiefs or 49ers to start and work back from there.

So where exactly are the Patriots if players are generally feeling this way? If the top 15% of players feel this way, this could a really tough free agent hunt. The Patriots are obligated to spend 90% of their cap every year for the next three years under strict NFL rules. That means that Kraft will have to spend roughly $700M. With $100M in cap space this year, the Patriots might have to overpay just to meet their obligations.

Would it be unreasonable to offer Onwenu and Jonah Williams each a four year $96M contract? ($24M each)
Would it be unreasonable to offer Gabe Davis 4/$68M? ($16M)
Would it be unreasonable to offer Saquon Barkley 4/$32M? ($8M)
Would it be unreasonable to offer Hunter Henry 3/$36M? ($12M)
Would it be unreasonable to offer K.J. Osborn 4/$60M) ($15M)

Signing these 6 players would cost $99M. Does it make sense? Would have to cut a few more players in order to have enough cash to sign a Jacoby Brissett or Joe Flacco for the next two or so years to mentor the new QB.

Mayo was recently quoted as saying you don't have to spend all the cap in one year? Now what the true meaning of that is, who knows? I suspect it means he wants to resign key players on the roster, right now he knows what he has. I feel it also means if the Pats make any FA moves they will be limited and based on position of need. It feels they want to build through the draft so keeping what you have makes a lot of sense to me.

As to your scenario seems like that is close to maxing out cap. If we resigns Onwenu I think we look to draft an OT. Keeping Hunter H would be critical to me and I would be okay with Barkley but didn't the NYG tag him?

 

[molsaniceman]

Patriots signed OL Chukwuma Okorafor.
Okorafor is a former third-round pick who spent the first six years of his career with the Steelers. After starting 15 or more games in the previous three seasons, Okorafor started in just seven of the 14 games he appeared in last season. With experience at both tackle positions, Okorafor provides versatility along the Patriots’ offensive line and can provide valuable experience as a starter.

 

[BigKen]

The Patriots bolster their offensive tackle depth​

With Okorafor brought in, the Patriots now have six tackles signed for the 2024 season. The former third-round draft pick is joining a group also featuring Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., and Andrew Stueber. In addition, New England gave guard Sidy Sow some reps at tackle during his rookie training camp last summer.

The Patriots have talked with Mike Onwenu, but he wants to see what the market will offer. Okorafor wasn't brought in to play RT. The Patriots will more than likely give him more than ample attempts to play LT. If Onwenu's salary gets above 4/$96M, the Patriots might have already had a conversation with former Patriot Jermaine Eluemunor of the Raiders. He was a Patriot from 2020 through 2021. If indications become true, Tyson and Williams might be too expensive. Thing to remember is that Tyson is 33 and isn't looking for a one year deal and neither Wiolliams nor Onwenu have played a complete season at LT.

Looks like the Patriots are taking a "keep adding bodies" attitude and hoping that the pieces will fit.

 

[BigKen]

Patriots retain young cornerback and offensive tackle

Before free agency starts, the Patriots are bringing back a young cornerback and offensive tackle

www.masslive.com

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Patriots retain young cornerback and offensive tackle

Before free agency starts, the Patriots are bringing back a young cornerback and offensive tackle

www.masslive.com

I just read about Austin on another site. Nice to have depth at CB coming at a bargin basement price. Hopefully, he shocks us and becomes a quality starter for years to come? From his reports he really enjoys his connection to the Pats.

As for Wheatley it needs to be seen how he recovers from the surgery. But also getting him on the cheap is great.

 

[BigKen]

Legal tampering begins Monday.

Sources in the NFL front office are saying that the League and the NFLPA are looking the other way this year and the illegal tampering was reported as far back as February 17th. The source believes that as many as 10 free agents have already agreed with new teams.

Guess that makes all of the wishin' and hopin' useless.

 

[BigKen]

It's being reported that Chase Claypool was sighted at the Cleveland Cavaliers/Boston Celtics game having several conversations with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Begs the question........................Are the Patriots talking with him or his agent about playing in Foxboro? Having a 6'4" WR on the edge could be interesting depending who the Patriots draft at QB and sign as the bridge.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

It's being reported that Chase Claypool was sighted at the Cleveland Cavaliers/Boston Celtics game having several conversations with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Begs the question........................Are the Patriots talking with him or his agent about playing in Foxboro? Having a 6'4" WR on the edge could be interesting depending who the Patriots draft at QB and sign as the bridge.

6'4"...with better separation than Parker.

 

[Southieinnc]

6'4"...with better separation than Parker.

Pretty low bar - just sayin.....

 

[Southieinnc]

Fun Wednesday morning reading:

Predictions for 11 Patriots free agents on offense

Here are predictions for all 11 of the Patriots' offensive free agents set to hit the market next week.

www.masslive.com

Playing right tackle last season, Onwenu was PFF's 29th-ranked tackle in the NFL.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Pretty low bar - just sayin.....